More than 1.5 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring countries, such as Brazil. Most Venezuelans living in exile have no regular status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination. By early-July 2018, nearly 33,000 Venezuelans had filed for asylum in Brazil. 72% filed in the state of Roraima.
With support from Better Shelter, UNHCR has assembled 120 shelters in “Rondon I” refugee camp in Boa Vista – Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. It is the first time Better Shelters are set up in South America and it will offer shelter to 600 people in need, Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista.
Rondon I was the tenth temporary shelter to be established by UNHCR in Roraima, which borders the south-east Venezuelan states of Amazonas and Bolivar. Opened in mid-July 2018, Rondon I hosts Venezuelans who were living on the streets of Boa Vista. The most vulnerable were identified and prioritised, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities. The shelter comprises 120 refugee housing units (RHUs), installed here for the first time in Latin America, with a capacity for 600 people. Immunisation jabs were given on arrival and biometric data was collected to produce ID cards allowing access to food, healthcare and relief items. More than 1.5 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with most fleeing to neighbouring South American countries. Most Venezuelans living in exile have no regular status, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and discrimination (UNHCR).
